Fiber coupled multi-frequency shifter

Abstract

A fiber coupled multi-frequency shifter includes a lens adapted to receive a laser beam; and a fiber cable to distribute the laser beam to an array of optical elements, each optical element having a surface with one or more steps formed thereon; a conductive layer formed on the surface with the steps; one or more crystals secured to each step; and electrodes positioned on each surface of each crystal.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A frequency shifter, comprising:
 a lens adapted to receive a laser beam; 
 a fiber cable to distribute the laser beam to an array of optical elements, wherein an optical element of the array of optical elements comprises a surface with one or more steps formed thereon; 
 a conductive layer formed on the surface with the one or more steps; 
 one or more crystals secured to each step; and 
 electrodes positioned on two surfaces of each of the one or more crystals. 
 
     
     
       2. The shifter of  claim 1 , comprising a tuning element to match a predetermined impedance. 
     
     
       3. The shifter of  claim 1 , comprising a tuning element including inductive and capacitive passive components. 
     
     
       4. The shifter of  claim 1 , comprising a tuning element which comprises a 1:1 balun, a 4:1 transformer, a capacitor, or an inductor. 
     
     
       5. The shifter of  claim 1 , wherein the optical element of the array of optical elements comprises a slanted end. 
     
     
       6. The shifter of  claim 5 , wherein the slanted end comprises a compound angle to move a reflected sound field out of a laser beam working range. 
     
     
       7. The shifter of  claim 1 , wherein a slanted end forms a 30 degree angle measured from a long side of the optical element of the array of optical elements to a long side of the optical element of the array of optical elements. 
     
     
       8. The shifter of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of a slanted end of the optical element of the array of optical elements comprises a 2 degree slope. 
     
     
       9. The shifter of  claim 1 , wherein the optical element of the array of optical elements comprises germanium, tellurium dioxide (TeO2), lithium niobate, PZT, fused silica, chalcogenide glasses, or glass. 
     
     
       10. The shifter of  claim 1 , wherein a tuning element matches a deflector output impedance at 40 MHz and at 60 MHz to a 50 ohm impedance. 
     
     
       11. A method to shift a laser beam having multiple frequencies, comprising:
 applying the laser beam to an array of optical elements each having one or more steps each with a predetermined height and one or more crystals or transducers on the one or more steps; 
 impedance matching the electrical input of the one or more crystals or transducers to a 50-ohm load; 
 providing an electrical input to deflect the laser beam at two or more frequencies; and 
 generating a sound field in an optical element of the array of optical elements to deflect the laser beam based on the two or more frequencies. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , comprising matching the input of the one or more crystals or transducers to a predetermined impedance. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , comprising providing a tuning element coupled to the one or more crystals or transducers with an output impedance of 50 ohms. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , comprising a tuning element including inductive and capacitive passive components. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , comprising a tuning element which comprises a 1:1 balun, a 4:1 transformer, a capacitor, or an inductor. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11 , wherein one of the optical elements comprises a slanted end, wherein the slanted end comprises a compound angle to move a reflected sound field out of a laser beam working range, wherein the slanted end forms a 30 degree angle measured from a long side of the optical element to a short side of the optical element, and wherein a surface of the slanted end comprises a 2 degree slope. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 11 , wherein one of the optical elements comprises germanium, tellurium dioxide (TeO 2 ), lithium niobate, PZT, fused silica, chalcogenide glasses, or glass. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11 , wherein a tuning element matches a deflector output impedance at 40 MHz and at 60 MHz to a 50 ohm impedance. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 11 , wherein each optical element is formed by:
 grinding an optical element to form two or more steps each with a predetermined height; 
 depositing a conductive layer over the one or more steps; 
 and 
 attaching electrodes to the top and bottom of the one or more crystals or transducers.